Display device

ABSTRACT

A display device includes a first substrate, a second substrate facing the first substrate, first to third electrodes formed on the first substrate, and a fourth electrode formed on the second substrate, wherein the first and second substrates include a main display region and an assistance display region, wherein the first and second electrodes form a horizontal electric field that is substantially parallel to the surfaces of the first and the second insulating substrates, and the third and fourth electrodes form a vertical electric field that is substantially perpendicular to the surfaces of the first and second substrates.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean patentapplication no. 10-2007-0043167 filed in the Korean intellectualproperty office on May 3, 2007, the entire contents of which areincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display.

2. Description of the Related Art

A liquid crystal display (LCD), a plasma display panel (PDP), a flatemission display (FED), a vacuum fluorescent display (VFD), and anorganic light emitting device (OLED) are among widely used flat paneldisplays. An LCD includes two panels provided with field-generatingelectrodes such as pixel electrodes and a common electrode, and a liquidcrystal (LC) layer interposed therebetween. The LCD displays images byapplying voltages to the field-generating electrodes to generate anelectric field in the LC layer which determines orientations of LCmolecules in the LC layer and adjusts the polarization of incidentlight.

The LCD has a characteristic that viewing angle and contrast ratiochange with the viewing angle, maximum luminance being displayed at aposition that is perpendicular to the surface of the screen and isgradually reduced as the viewing angle increases. A reference viewingangle is defined as the viewing angle that makes the contrast ratioequal to a reference value. It is preferable that a wide referenceviewing angle be obtained so as to permit viewing of normal images at awider angle.

Particularly, when simultaneously displaying images to many viewers,normal images having a contrast ratio equal to or greater than thereference value must be displayed from the side angle as well as fromthe front. For these reasons.

However, for inputting personal information in a public environment,drafting or perusing secret documents, or executing preservation work,LCDs having a narrow viewing angle must be provided, as well as thosewith a wide viewing angle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention a liquid crystaldisplay is provided having, selectively, either a wide viewing angle ora narrow viewing angle.

An exemplary display device is provided which includes a firstsubstrate, a second substrate facing the first substrate, first to thirdelectrodes formed on the first substrate, and a fourth electrode formedon the second substrate. The first and second substrates include a maindisplay region and an assistance display region, wherein the first andsecond electrodes form a horizontal electric field that is substantiallyparallel to the surfaces of the first and second substrates, and thethird and fourth electrodes form a vertical electric field that issubstantially perpendicular to the surfaces of the first and secondsubstrates.

The display device may further include a liquid crystal layer formedbetween the first and second substrates.

The liquid crystal layer may be a biaxial nematic layer.

Biaxially nematic liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layermay include a first portion having a first major axis and a secondportion having a second major axis.

The display device may further include a first polarizer formed on thesurface of the first substrate and a second polarizer formed on thesurface of the second substrate, wherein the transmission axis of thefirst polarizer crosses the transmission axis of the second polarizer,the transmission axis of the first polarizer is parallel to the firstmajor axis, and the transmission axis of the second polarizer isparallel to the second major axis.

The transmission axis of the first polarizer may form an angle in arange of 0-90 degrees with the horizontal electric field.

The first portion may have positive dielectric anisotropy, and thesecond portion may have negative dielectric anisotropy.

The liquid crystal layer is a uniaxial nematic layer.

The display device may further include a first polarizer formed on thesurface of the first substrate and a second polarizer formed on thesurface of the second substrate, wherein the transmission axis of thefirst polarizer crosses the transmission axis of the second polarizer,and the major axis of the uniaxial nematic liquid crystal molecules ofthe liquid crystal layer is initially aligned parallel or perpendicularto the transmission axis of the first polarizer.

The uniaxial nematic liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystallayer may have positive dielectric anisotropy or negative dielectricanisotropy.

The first and second electrodes may be pixel electrodes and the thirdand fourth electrodes may be common electrodes, and the first and secondelectrodes may be switched by thin film transistors.

The first and third electrodes may be pixel electrodes, the second andthe fourth electrodes may be common electrodes, the first electrode maybe switched by a thin film transistor, and the third electrode may beswitched by a controlling viewing angle line.

A display device is provided, which includes a first panel includingfield generating electrodes formed in a main display region and a firstcontrol electrode formed in an assistance display region, a second panelincluding color filters facing the field generating electrodes and asecond control electrode facing the first control electrode, and aliquid crystal layer formed between the first and second panels, whereinthe first and second control electrodes form an electric field that isperpendicular to the surfaces of the first and second panels.

The main display region may include at least three pixels having threeprimary colors, and the assistance display region may include at leastone pair of a first and a second control electrode.

The display device may further include a first polarizer formed on thesurface of the first panel and a second polarizer formed on the surfaceof the second panel, wherein the transmission axis of the firstpolarizer crosses the transmission axis of the second polarizer, and theliquid crystal layer has one major axis initially aligned parallel tothe transmission axis of the first polarizer.

The liquid crystal molecules may include a first portion having a firstmajor axis and a second portion having a second major axis that isperpendicular to the first major axis.

The liquid crystal molecules may be initially aligned parallel to thesurfaces of the first and second panels.

The display device may further include a first polarizer formed on thesurface of the first panel and a second polarizer formed on the surfaceof the second panel, wherein the transmission axis of the firstpolarizer crosses the transmission axis of the second polarizer, thetransmission axis of the first polarizer is parallel to the first majoraxis, and the transmission axis of the second polarizer is parallel tothe second major axis.

The first portion may have positive dielectric anisotropy, and thesecond portion may have negative dielectric anisotropy.

The first portion in the main display region may be arranged to beparallel to the generated electric field, the second portion in the maindisplay region may be arranged to be perpendicular to the generatedelectric field, the first portion in the assistance display region maybe arranged to be perpendicular to the generated electric field, and thesecond portion in the assistance display region may be arranged to beparallel to the transmission axis of the second polarizer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more apparent by describingembodiments thereof in detail with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a display device according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 2 a and 2 b are views showing the arrangements of biaxial nematicliquid crystal molecules depending on application and non-application ofan electric field in the display device of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3 a and 3 b are views showing the arrangements of uniaxial nematicliquid crystal molecules depending on application and non-application ofan electric field in the display device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a layout view of a lower panel of a display device accordingto another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a display device including the lower panelshown in FIG. 4 and an upper panel, taken along the line V-V;

FIG. 6 is a layout view of a lower panel of a display device accordingto another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a display device including the lower panelshown in FIG. 6 and an upper panel, taken along the line VII-VII; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the display device including a gate driverand a data driver according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention will be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodimentsof the invention are shown. The present invention may, however, beembodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limitedto the embodiments set forth herein.

In the drawings, the thickness of layers, films, and regions areexaggerated for clarity. It will be understood that when an element suchas a layer, film, region, or substrate is referred to as being “on”another element, it can be directly on the other element or interveningelements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referredto as being “directly on” another element, there are no interveningelements present.

A display device according to an embodiment of the present inventionwill be described in detail with reference to FIG. 1.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a display device according to anembodiment of the present invention.

A display device 1 includes a panel assembly 30 having a first panel 10,a second panel 20, and a liquid crystal layer 3 formed between the firstand second panels 10 and 20.

The exemplary panel assembly 30 is adjusted for a liquid crystaldisplay, but this is provided to explain the present invention, and thepresent invention should not be construed as limited to the embodimentsset forth herein.

The first panel 10 includes a lower substrate 11, and first to thirdelectrodes 13, 15, and 14 formed on one surface of the lower substrate11. A lower polarizer 12 is formed on the other surface of the lowersubstrate 11. The transmission axis P of the lower polarizer 12 forms apredetermined angle θ with reference to the direction crossing thelength direction of the first and second electrodes 13 and 15.

A pixel includes at least one pair of a first and a second electrode 13and 15, and the first and second electrodes 13 and 15 are extended inparallel to each other. At least three pixels respectively including thefirst and second electrodes 13 and 15 form a main display region MA. Atleast one third electrode 14 having a greater area than the first orsecond electrodes 13 and 15 forms one pixel, and the pixel forms anassistant display region AA.

The second panel 20 is disposed to face the first panel 10 with a gaptherebetween. The second panel 20 includes the upper substrate 21, aplurality of color filters 23 formed on one surface of the uppersubstrate 21, and a fourth electrode 25. Each of the color filters 230may represent one of the primary colors such as red, green, and blue, oryellow, cyan, and magenta, and faces the pair of the first and secondelectrodes 13 and 15. The fourth electrode 25 faces the third electrode14, and a color filter such as a red, green, blue, yellow, cyan, ormagenta filter may be formed between the fourth electrode 25 and theupper substrate 21. This embodiment is provided without a color filtertherebetween. An upper polarizer 22 is formed on the other surface ofthe upper substrate 21, and the transmission axis of the upper polarizer22 is perpendicular to the transmission axis of the lower polarizer 12.

In FIG. 1, one main display region MA defined by the three pixels eachincluding a pair of a first and a second electrode 13 and 15, and oneassistance display region AA defined by one pixel including the thirdelectrode 14, are respectively shown, but the display device 1 accordingto the embodiment of the present invention may include a plurality ofmain display regions and a plurality of assistance regions AA.

The liquid crystal layer 3 is filled in the gap between the first andsecond panels 10 and 20, and liquid crystal molecules 31 of the liquidcrystal layer 3 include a first portion L1 and a second portion L2 thatare biaxially nematic.

The liquid crystal molecules 31 form cross shapes such that the firstmajor axis of the first portion L1 and the second major axis of thesecond portion L2 are crossed with each other, and include one axiswhere the first and second major axes are crossed and perpendicular tothe first and second major axes.

The liquid crystal molecules 31 are initially aligned in a directionparallel to the surfaces of the first and second panels 10 and 20. Thefirst portions L1 of the liquid crystal molecules 31 are initiallyaligned in the same direction as the transmission axis of the lowerpolarizer 12, and the second portions L2 of the liquid crystal molecules31 are initially aligned in the same direction as the transmission axisof the upper polarizer 22.

The first portions L1 and the second portions L2 of the liquid crystalmolecules 31 may all have the same dielectric anisotropy, and mayrespectively have different anisotropy such as positive and negative. Inthe embodiment according to the present invention, the first portions L1have positive dielectric anisotropy and the second portions L2 havenegative dielectric anisotropy.

In FIG. 1, upon the application of an electric voltage between the firstelectrode 13 and the second electrode 15 in the pixel corresponding tothe red color filter 23 among the main display region MA, the resultantelectric field is substantially parallel to the surfaces of the panels10 and 20. The first portions L1 of the liquid crystal molecules 31 arerearranged to be parallel to the horizontal electric field, and thesecond portions L2 of the liquid crystal molecules 31 are rearranged tobe perpendicular to the horizontal electric field. On the other hand,when the electric fields are applied in the pixel corresponding to thegreen and blue color filters 23 among the main display region MA, theliquid crystal molecules 31 are maintained with initial alignmentstates. As a result, the phase retardation of the light is such that thelight is transmitted, and accordingly the red color is displayed in themain display region MA.

The first portions L1 of the liquid crystal molecules 31 in theassistance region AA are vertically rearranged according to the verticalelectric field between the third electrode 14 and the fourth electrode25 with reference to the surfaces of the panels 10 and 20. Also, thesecond portions L2 of the liquid crystal molecules 31 in the assistanceregion AA are vertically rearranged according to the vertical electricfield and parallel to the transmission axis of the upper polarizer 22.

Accordingly, because there is no phase retardation of the lightproceeding vertically to the front side of the second panel 20 andparallel to the first portions L1 of the liquid crystal molecules 31,the light vertically passing the lower polarizer 12 and the liquidcrystal layer 31 is blocked by the upper polarizer 22 having atransmission axis that is perpendicular to the transmission axis of thelower polarizer 12. On the other hand, because the light proceedingobliquely to the front side of the second panel 20 obliquely passes tothe first portions L1 of the liquid crystal molecules 31, the phase ofthe light is retarded. Accordingly, the portion of the light polarizedby the lower polarizer 12 passes the upper polarizer 22. In this way,the light passing the assistance display region AA in an obliquedirection overlaps the light passing the main display region MA in anoblique direction. Accordingly, the lateral visibility of the displaydevice is decreased. That is to say, upon the application to theelectric voltage in the assistant display region AA, the imagesdisplaying in the main display region MA can be regularly visible at thefront side of the display device, but the images displaying in the maindisplay region MA are overlapped with the images of the assistancedisplay region AA and are distorted at the oblique side of the displaydevice. Accordingly, a narrow viewing angle may be obtained.

However, in the absence of the electric voltage applied to theassistance region AA, because the first portions L1 and the secondportions L2 of the liquid crystal molecules 31 are respectively parallelto the transmission axis of the lower and upper polarizers 12 and 22,the light that is polarized by the lower polarizer 12 is blocked by theupper polarizer 22 irrespective of the front light and oblique light.Accordingly, the assistant display region AA becomes black, and theimage of the main display region MA is not distorted. Therefore, a wideviewing angle may be obtained.

In brief, the user may selectively use the narrow viewing angle or thewide viewing angle by controlling the operation of the assistancedisplay region AA in the embodiment according to an aspect of thepresent invention.

The operation of the display device 1 shown in FIG. 1 according to anembodiment of the present invention will be described in detail withreference to FIGS. 2 a and 2 b.

FIGS. 2 a and 2 b are views showing the arrangements of biaxial nematicliquid crystal molecules depending on application and non-application ofthe electric field in the display device of FIG. 1.

The arrangements of biaxial nematic liquid crystal molecules 31depending on application and non-application of the electric field inthe main display region MA of one pixel of the display device shown inFIG. 1 are shown in FIG. 2 a, and the arrangements of biaxial nematicliquid crystal molecules 31 depending on application and non-applicationof the electric field in the assistance display region AA of one pixelof the display device shown in FIG. 1 are shown in FIG. 2 b.

As show in FIGS. 2 a and 2 b, the transmission axis P of the lowerpolarizer 12 forms a predetermined angle θ with reference to thedirection perpendicular to the length direction of the first and secondelectrodes 13 and 15, and is perpendicular to the transmission axis P ofthe upper polarizer 22. The color filter 23 is formed on the substrate21 of FIG. 2 a, but a color filter is not formed on the substrate 21 ofFIG. 2 b as one embodiment. However, a color filter may be formed on thesubstrate 21 of FIG. 2 b. Also, the elements not mentioned in FIGS. 2 aand 2 b have the same structures as those of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 2 a, when no electric voltage is applied, the biaxialnematic liquid crystal molecules 31 are arranged to be parallel to thesurfaces of the first and second substrates 11 and 21. Also, the firstportions L1 of the liquid crystal molecules 31 are arranged to beparallel to the transmission axis P of the lower polarizer 12, and thesecond portions L2 of the liquid crystal molecules 31 are arranged to beparallel to the transmission axis P of the upper polarizer 22,perpendicular to the transmission axis P of the upper polarizer 22.Accordingly, the light passing to the lower polarizer 12 does notgenerate the phase retardation due to the first portions L1 and thesecond portions L2 of the liquid crystal molecules 31 that are arrangedto be parallel and perpendicular to the transmission axis P of the lowerpolarizer 12.

Accordingly, the polarized light is blocked by the upper polarizer 22such that the pixel becomes black.

On the other hand, when an electric voltage is applied between the firstelectrode 13 and the second electrode 15, the horizontal electric fieldis formed to be substantially parallel to the surfaces of the first andsecond substrates 11 and 21. Accordingly, the first portions L1 of theliquid crystal molecules 31 are rearranged to be parallel to theelectric field, and the second portions L2 of the liquid crystalmolecules 31 are rearranged to be perpendicular to the electric field.Therefore, the first portions L1 and the second portions L2 of theliquid crystal molecules 31 respectively form an angle of 90-θ with thetransmission axis of the lower polarizer 12 such that the light passingthe lower polarizer 12 generates the phase retardation. As a result, thepixel displays a white state and the light passes the upper polarizer 22in the front and oblique directions.

Referring to FIG. 2 b, in the case N of non-application of the electricvoltage, the biaxial nematic liquid crystal molecules 31 are arranged tobe parallel to the surfaces of the first and second substrates 11 and21. Also, the first portions L1 of the liquid crystal molecules 31 arearranged to be parallel to the transmission axis P of the lowerpolarizer 12, and the second portions L2 of the liquid crystal molecules31 are arranged to be parallel to the transmission axis P of the upperpolarizer 22, perpendicular to the transmission axis P of the upperpolarizer 22. Accordingly, the light passing to the lower polarizer 12does not have phase retardation due to the first portions L1 and thesecond portions L2 of the liquid crystal molecules 31 that are arrangedto be parallel and perpendicular to the transmission axis P of the lowerpolarizer 12. Accordingly, the polarized light is blocked by the upperpolarizer 22 such that the pixel becomes black.

On the other hand, when an electric voltage is applied between the thirdelectrode 14 and the fourth electrode 25, the electric field is formedto be substantially perpendicular to the surfaces of the first andsecond substrates 11 and 21. Accordingly, the first portions L1 of theliquid crystal molecules 31 are rearranged to be parallel to theelectric field, and the second portions L2 of the liquid crystalmolecules 31 are rearranged to be perpendicular to the electric fieldand parallel to the transmission axis of the upper polarizer 22.

Therefore, the phase of the light passing the lower polarizer 12 is notretarded due to the first portions L1 being parallel to the electricfield and the second portions L2 being parallel to the transmission axisP of the upper polarizer 22. Accordingly, the light passing the lowerpolarizer 12 is blocked by the upper polarizer 22 at the frontdirection. However, the portion elements of the light obliquely passingthe lower polarizer 12 (hereinafter called “oblique light”) form thepredetermined angle with the longitudinal axis of the first portion L1of the liquid crystal molecules 31 retarded in phase by the obliquelight. Accordingly, the light obliquely passing the lower polarizer 12passes the upper polarizer 22 in the oblique direction in the assistancedisplay region AA. That is to say, when the electric field is applied,the black state is displayed in the front direction and the white stateis displayed in the oblique direction.

Again referring to FIG. 1 based on this operation principle, the pixelshaving the green and blue color filters 23 are blacked without theapplication of the electric voltage in the main display region MA, andthe pixel having the red color filter 23 is in a white state upon theapplication of the electric voltage. In the assistance display regionAA, the black state is displayed in the front direction and the whitestate is displayed in the oblique direction when an electric field isapplied.

Accordingly, because the light passing the assistance display region AAin the oblique direction overlaps the light passing the main displayregion MA in the oblique direction, the lateral visibility of thedisplay device is decreased.

That is to say, the narrow viewing angle may be obtained upon theapplication of the electric voltage in the assistant display region AA.On the other hand, when no electric voltage is applied in the assistanceregion AA, the assistant display region AA becomes completely black andthe image of the main display region MA is not distorted in the obliquedirection. Therefore, the images may be regularly displayed in the maindisplay region MA.

In brief, the display device according to the present invention may beselectively used as a narrow viewing angle of a wide viewing angledisplay device by controlling the operation of the assistance displayregion AA.

In the above description, the biaxial nematic liquid crystal moleculesare used, but uniaxial nematic liquid crystal molecules may be used, andthis will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 3 a and 3 b are views respectively showing the arrangements ofuniaxial nematic liquid crystal molecules depending on application andnon-application of an electric field in the main display region MA andthe assistance display region AA of the display device of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 3 a and 3 b, the transmission axis P of the lowerpolarizer 12 forms a predetermined angle θ with reference to thedirection perpendicular to the length direction of the first and secondelectrodes 13 and 15, and is perpendicular to the transmission axis P ofthe upper polarizer 22. The color filter 23 is formed on the substrate21 of FIG. 3 a, but a color filter is not formed on the substrate 21 ofFIG. 3 b as one embodiment. However, a color filter may be formed on thesubstrate 21 of FIG. 3 b. Also, elements not mentioned in FIGS. 3 a and3 b have the same structures as those of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 3 a, when no electric voltage is applied, the uniaxialnematic liquid crystal molecules 31 are arranged to be parallel to thesurfaces of the first and second substrates 11 and 21. Also, thelongitudinal axes of the liquid crystal molecules 31 are arranged to beparallel to the transmission axis P of the lower polarizer 12.Accordingly, the light passing to the lower polarizer 12 is not retardedin phase due to the longitudinal axes of the liquid crystal molecules 31that are arranged to be parallel to the transmission axis P of the lowerpolarizer 12. Accordingly, the polarized light is blocked by the upperpolarizer 22 such that the pixel becomes black.

On the other hand, when an electric field is applied between the firstelectrode 13 and the second electrode 15, the electric field issubstantially parallel to the surfaces of the first and secondsubstrates 11 and 21. Accordingly, the longitudinal axes of the liquidcrystal molecules 31 are rearranged to be parallel to the electric fieldsuch that the longitudinal axes of the liquid crystal molecules 31respectively form an angle of 90-θ with the transmission axis of thelower polarizer 12 and the light passing the lower polarizer 12generates the phase retardation. As a result, the pixel displays a whitestate and the light passes the upper polarizer 22 in the front andoblique directions.

Referring to FIG. 3 b, when no electric field is applied, the uniaxialnematic liquid crystal molecules 31 are arranged to be parallel to thesurfaces of the first and second substrates 11 and 21. Also, thelongitudinal axes of the liquid crystal molecules 31 are arranged to beparallel to the transmission axis P of the lower polarizer 12.Accordingly, the light passing to the lower polarizer 12 is not retardedin phase due to the longitudinal axes of the liquid crystal molecules 31that are arranged to be parallel to the transmission axis P of the lowerpolarizer 12. Accordingly, the polarized light is blocked by the upperpolarizer 22 such that the pixel becomes black.

On the other hand, when an electric field is applied between the thirdelectrode 14 and the fourth electrode 25, the electric field is formedsubstantially perpendicular to the surfaces of the first and secondsubstrates 11 and 21. Accordingly, the longitudinal axes of the liquidcrystal molecules 31 are rearranged to be parallel to the electricfield. Therefore, the light passing the lower polarizer 12 is notretarded in phase due to the longitudinal axes. Accordingly, the lightpassing the lower polarizer 12 is blocked by the upper polarizer 22 inthe front direction. However, the oblique light of the light obliquelypassing the lower polarizer 12 forms the predetermined angle with thelongitudinal axes of the liquid crystal molecules 31 such that theoblique light is retarded in phase. Accordingly, the light obliquelypassing the lower polarizer 12 passes the upper polarizer 22 in theoblique direction in the assistance display region AA. As a result, theblack state is displayed in the front direction and the white state isdisplayed in the oblique direction.

That is to say, the narrow viewing angle may be obtained upon theapplication of the electric voltage in the assistant display region AA.On the other hand, upon no application of the electric voltage in theassistance region AA, because the assistant display region AA becomes acompletely black state, the image of the main display region MA is notdistorted in the oblique direction. Therefore, the wide viewing anglemay be obtained in the main display region MA.

A display device according to another embodiment of the presentinvention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7.

FIG. 4 is a layout view of a lower panel of a display device accordingto another embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a sectionalview of a display device including the lower panel shown in FIG. 6 andan upper panel, taken along the line V-V, FIG. 6 is a layout view of alower panel of a display device according to another embodiment of thepresent invention, and FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a display deviceincluding the lower panel shown in FIG. 6 and an upper panel, takenalong the line VII-VII.

A display device according to this embodiment of the present inventionincludes a lower panel 100, an upper panel 200, and an LC layer 3interposed between the panels 100 and 200.

The lower panel 100 will be now be described in detail.

A plurality of gate lines 121 and a plurality of common electrode lines131 are formed on an insulating substrate 110 made of a material such astransparent glass.

The gate lines 121 extend substantially in a transverse direction andare separated from each other, and transmit gate signals. Each gate line121 includes a plurality of projections forming a plurality of gateelectrodes 124, and an end portion 129 having a large area for contactwith another layer or an external driving circuit.

The common electrode lines 131 are supplied with a predeterminedvoltage, and include a stem portion extended substantially parallel tothe gate lines 121, a plurality of longitudinal common electrodes 133 aand 133 b extended from the stem, and a plurality of transverse commonelectrodes 133 c connecting one end of each of the longitudinal commonelectrodes 133 a and 133 b to each other. The common electrodes 133 a to133 c are arranged in the pixel corresponding to the main display regionMA in FIG. 1, and are not formed in the pixel corresponding to theassistant display region AA. It is preferable that one pixelcorresponding to the assistance display region AA is arranged per thethree pixels corresponding to the main display region MA (not shown inFIGS. 4 and 5). However, this is only one embodiment, and thecompounding of the pixels may be variously changed.

A gate insulating layer 140 preferably made of silicon nitride (SiNx) isformed on the gate lines 121 and the storage electrode lines 131.

A plurality of semiconductor islands 154 preferably made of hydrogenatedamorphous silicon (abbreviated to “a-Si”) or polysilicon, and aplurality of ohmic contact islands 163 and 165 preferably made ofsilicide or n+ hydrogenated a-Si heavily doped with an n-type impuritysuch as phosphorous are sequentially formed on the gate insulating layer140. Pairs of an ohmic contact 163 and an ohmic contact 165 are locatedon the semiconductors 154.

A plurality of data lines 171 and a plurality of drain electrodes 175that are separated from the data lines 171 are formed on the ohmiccontacts 163 and 165 and the gate insulating layer 140.

The data lines 171 for transmitting data voltages extend substantiallyin the longitudinal direction, crossing the gate lines 121 at rightangles. Each data line 171 includes a plurality of source electrodes173, which are extended toward the gate electrodes 124, and an endportion 179 having a large area for contact with another layer or anexternal device. The source electrodes 173 face the drain electrodes 175with reference of the gate electrodes 124.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a lower panel 100according to another embodiment of the present invention furtherincludes a plurality of controlling viewing angle lines 172. Thecontrolling viewing angle lines 172 for transmitting data voltages tothe assistance display region AA extend substantially in thelongitudinal direction and parallel to the data lines 171. Each of thecontrolling viewing angle lines 172 include a plurality of projections172 a extending in the assistant display region AA, and an end portionhaving a large area for contact with another layer or an externaldevice, like the data lines 171.

A gate electrode 124, a source electrode 173, and a drain electrode 175along with a semiconductor 154 form a TFT having a channel formed in thesemiconductor 154 disposed between the source electrode 173 and thedrain electrode 175.

The ohmic contacts 163 and 165 are interposed only between theunderlying semiconductor stripes 151 and the overlying data lines 171and the overlying drain electrodes 175 thereon, and reduce the contactresistance therebetween. The semiconductors 151 include a plurality ofexposed portions, which are not covered with the data lines 171 and thedrain electrodes 175, such as portions located between the sourceelectrodes 173 and the drain electrodes 175.

Also, a plurality of pixel electrodes 191 and 192 are formed on the gateinsulating layer 140. The pixel electrodes 191 and 192 are physicallyand electrically connected to the drain electrodes 175 such that thepixel electrodes 191 and 192 receive the data voltages from the drainelectrodes 175. The structures of the pixel electrodes 191 and 192 aredifferent in the main display region MA and the assistance displayregion AA. The pixel electrodes 191 of the main display region MA areformed with the same layer as the drain electrodes 175, and the pixelelectrodes 192 of the assistance display region M are formed in apassivation layer 180.

The pixel electrodes 191 and 192 are preferably made of a transparentconductor such as ITO or IZO.

The pixel electrodes 191 of the main display region MA are disposed inthe pixels enclosed by the gate lines 121 and the data lines 171, andare alternately arranged with the common electrodes 133 a and 133 b. Thepixel electrodes 191 include transverse portions 191 a and 191 bparallel to the gate lines 121, and longitudinal portions 191 cconnecting the transverse portions 191 a and 191 b. The transverseportions 191 a and 191 b overlap the stems of the common electrode lines131 and the transverse portions 133 c of the common electrode lines 131to form a storage capacitor, and are connected to the drain electrodes175. The longitudinal portions 191 c of the pixel electrodes 191 areparallel to the common electrodes 133 a and 133 b to form an electricfield in the horizontal direction parallel to the surface of thesubstrate 110.

The pixel electrodes 192 of the assistance display region AA aredisposed in the pixels enclosed by the gate lines 121 and the data lines171. The pixel electrodes 192 of the assistance display region AAoverlap the stem of the common electrode lines 131 and the whole areaenclosed by the gate lines 121 and the data lines 171.

A passivation layer 180 is formed on the data lines 171, the drainelectrodes 175, the pixel electrodes 191, and the exposed portions ofthe semiconductors 154. The passivation layer 180 is preferably made ofan inorganic insulator such as silicon nitride or silicon oxide, aphotosensitive organic material having a good flatness characteristic,or a low dielectric insulating material such as a-Si:C:O and a-Si:O:Fformed by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD). Thepassivation layer 180 may include a lower film of an inorganic insulatorand an upper film of an organic insulator.

The passivation layer 180 has a plurality of contact holes 182 and 185exposing the end portions 179 of the data lines 171, and the portions ofthe drain electrodes 175 in the assistance display region AA,respectively. The passivation layer 180 and the gate insulating layer140 have a plurality of contact holes 181 exposing the end portions 129of the gate lines 121

The pixel electrodes 192 are disposed on the passivation layer 180, anda lower alignment layer 11 for initially aligning the liquid crystalmolecules is formed on the passivation layer 180 and the pixelelectrodes 192. The pixel electrodes 192 are connected to the drainelectrodes 175 through the contact holes 185 of the passivation layer180.

Further, the pixel electrodes 192 are connected to the projections 172 aof the controlling viewing angle lines 172 through the contact holes 185such that the pixel electrodes 192 receive the signals from thecontrolling viewing angle lines 172.

Contact assistants 81 and 82 are connected to the end portions 129 ofthe gate lines 121 and the end portions 179 of the data lines 171through the contact holes 181 and 182, respectively. The contactassistants 81 and 82 protect the end portions 129 and 179 and complementthe adhesion of the end portions 129 and 179 to external devices.

A description of the upper panel 200 follows with reference to thedrawings.

A light blocking member 220 called a black matrix for preventing lightleakage is formed on an insulating substrate 210, and a plurality ofcolor filters 230 disposed substantially in the areas enclosed by thelight blocking member 220 are formed thereon.

An overcoat 250 for preventing the color filters 230 from being exposedand for providing a flat surface is formed on the color filters 230 andthe light blocking member 220, and a buffer electrode 270 only facingthe pixel electrode 192 is formed on the overcoat 250. An upperalignment layer 22 for initially aligning the liquid crystal moleculesthereon. In this embodiment, the color filters 230 are only formed inthe main display region MA, and are not formed in the assistance displayregion AA. However, the color filters may also be formed in theassistance display region AA.

Polarizers 12 and 22 are provided on outer surfaces of the panels 100and 200 such that their polarization axes are parallel or crossed. Oneof the polarizers 12 and 22 may be omitted.

An LC layer 3 having biaxial nematic liquid crystal molecules 31 areformed between two panels 100 and 200. A first major axis of firstportions L1 and a second major axis of second portions L2 of the biaxialnematic liquid crystal molecules 31 are crossed. The first portions L1and the second portions L2 of the biaxial nematic liquid crystalmolecules 31 may have the same dielectric anisotropy.

In this embodiment, the first portions L1 and the second portions L2 ofthe liquid crystal molecules 31 are crossed, but the present inventionis not limited by this embodiment, and the biaxial nematic liquidcrystal molecules of various shapes may be used.

A driving method for a pixel for controlling viewing angle in theassistance display region AA for providing a narrow viewing angle in thedisplay device according to an embodiment of the present invention willbe described in detail with reference to FIG. 8.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the display device including a gate driverand a data driver according to the present invention.

The gate lines 121 receive gate signals from a gate driver 400 connectedto the end portions 129 of the gate lines 121, and the data lines 171receive data signals from a data driver 500 connected to the endportions 179 of the data lines 171. The data lines 171 transmit the datasignals to the pixel electrodes 191 of the main display region MA andthe pixel electrodes 192 of the assistance display region AA.

The data driver 500, selectively controls the main display region MAhaving a plurality of color filters 230 such as red, green, and blue,and the assistance display region AA having a color filter of white orwithout a color filter. For a wide viewing angle, the assistance displayregion AA is off, and the assistance display region AA is on in the caseof a narrow viewing angle. That is to say, the rotation of each of pixelin the assistance display region AA is determined by the data driver500, such that the wide viewing angle and the narrow viewing angle maybe selectively obtained.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the data lines 171 transmit the data signalsto the pixel electrodes 191 of the main display region MA, but thecontrolling viewing angle lines 172 transmit the data signal to thepixel electrodes 192 of the assistance display region AA. The data lines171 are connected to the data driver 500 and receive the data signalfrom the data driver 500, and the controlling viewing angle lines 172are connected to an additional driver (not shown) and receive the datasignal from the additional driver. However, the controlling viewingangle lines 172 may be directly connected to the data driver 500 suchthat the controlling viewing angle lines 172 may be controlled by thedata driver 500.

As described above, because the display device includes the assistancedisplay region transmitting the light in an oblique direction in a whitestate, the image of the wide viewing angle and the narrow viewing anglemay be selectively obtained.

While the present invention has been described in detail with referenceto the preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciatethat various modifications and substitutions can be made thereto withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present invention as setforth in the appended claims.

1. A display device, comprising: a first substrate; a second substratefacing the first substrate; first to third electrodes formed on thefirst substrate; and a fourth electrode formed on the second substrate,wherein the first and second substrates include a main display regionand an assistance display region, and wherein the first and the secondelectrodes form a horizontal electric field that is substantiallyparallel to the surfaces of the first and second insulating substrates,and the third and fourth electrodes form a vertical electric field thatis substantially perpendicular to the surfaces of the first and secondsubstrates.
 2. The display device of claim 1, further comprising aliquid crystal layer formed between the first and second substrates. 3.The display device of claim 2, wherein the liquid crystal layer is abiaxial nematic layer.
 4. The display device of claim 2, wherein biaxialnematic liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer include afirst portion having a first major axis and a second portion having asecond major axis.
 5. The display device of claim 4, further comprising:a first polarizer formed on the surface of the first substrate; and asecond polarizer formed on the surface of the second substrate, whereinthe transmission axis of the first polarizer crosses the transmissionaxis of the second polarizer, and wherein the transmission axis of thefirst polarizer is parallel to the first major axis and the transmissionaxis of the second polarizer is parallel to the second major axis. 6.The display device of claim 5, wherein the transmission axis of thefirst polarizer forms an angle in a range of 0-90 degrees with thehorizontal electric field.
 7. The display device of claim 6, wherein thefirst portion has positive dielectric anisotropy, and the second portionhas negative dielectric anisotropy.
 8. The display device of claim 2,wherein the liquid crystal layer is a uniaxial nematic layer.
 9. Thedisplay device of claim 8, further comprising: a first polarizer formedon the surface of the first substrate; and a second polarizer formed onthe surface of the second substrate, wherein the transmission axis ofthe first polarizer crosses the transmission axis of the secondpolarizer, and wherein the major axis of uniaxial nematic liquid crystalmolecules of the liquid crystal layer is initially aligned parallel orperpendicular to the transmission axis of the first polarizer.
 10. Thedisplay device of claim 9, wherein the uniaxial nematic liquid crystalmolecules of the liquid crystal layer have positive dielectricanisotropy or negative dielectric anisotropy.
 11. The display device ofclaim 1, wherein the first and second electrodes are pixel electrodes,and the third and fourth electrodes are common electrodes, wherein thefirst and second electrodes are switched by thin film transistors. 12.The display device of claim 1, wherein the first and third electrodesare pixel electrodes, and the second and fourth electrodes are commonelectrodes, wherein the first electrode is switched by a thin filmtransistor and the third electrode is switched by a controlling viewingangle line.
 13. A display device, comprising: a first panel includingfield generating electrodes formed in a main display region and a firstcontrol electrode formed in an assistance display region; a second panelincluding color filters facing the field generating electrodes and asecond control electrode facing the first control electrode; and aliquid crystal layer formed between the first and second panels, whereinthe first and second control electrodes form an electric field that isperpendicular to the surface of the first and second panels.
 14. Thedisplay device of claim 13, wherein the main display region includes atleast three pixels having three primary colors, and the assistancedisplay region includes at least one pair of a first and a secondcontrol electrode.
 15. The display device of claim 13, furthercomprising: a first polarizer formed on the surface of the first panel;and a second polarizer formed on the surface of the second panel,wherein the transmission axis of the first polarizer crosses thetransmission axis of the second polarizer, and wherein the liquidcrystal layer has one major axis initially aligned parallel to thetransmission axis of the first polarizer.
 16. The display device ofclaim 13, wherein liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layerinclude a first portion having a first major axis and a second portionhaving a second major axis that is perpendicular to the first majoraxis.
 17. The display device of claim 16, wherein the liquid crystalmolecules are initially aligned parallel to the surfaces of the firstand second panels.
 18. The display device of claim 17, the furthercomprising: a first polarizer formed on the surface of the first panel;and a second polarizer formed on the surface of the second panel,wherein the transmission axis of the first polarizer crosses thetransmission axis of the second polarizer, and wherein the transmissionaxis of the first polarizer is parallel to the first major axis and thetransmission axis of the second polarizer is parallel to the secondmajor axis.
 19. The display device of claim 18, wherein the firstportion has positive dielectric anisotropy, and the second portion hasnegative dielectric anisotropy.
 20. The display device of claim 18,wherein the first portion in the main display region is arranged to beparallel to the generated electric field, the second portion in the maindisplay region is arranged to be perpendicular to the generated electricfield, the first portion in the assistance display region is arranged tobe perpendicular to the generated electric field, and the second portionin the assistance display region is arranged to be parallel to thetransmission axis of the second polarizer.